LaGrange Park’s fire chief said a fire alarm system tied directly to the village’s emergency dispatch center likely saved a local Chinese restaurant from sustaining greater damage from an early morning fire on Jan. 27.
Firefighters responded to Golden Wok, 1122 N. Maple Ave., just across the border from Brookfield, when the alarm activated at 1:15 a.m. When firefighters arrived at the restaurant they reported observing black smoke coming from roof vents and light smoke in the front of the restaurant.
Inside, there was heavy smoke in the kitchen with a fire burning in the rear where kitchen equipment was located. While firefighters deployed two hose lines in preparation for battling the blaze, others were able to douse the flames using fire extinguishers.
No one was hurt and damage to the restaurant was estimated at $5,000. No one was inside the restaurant at the time the fire started. While the cause remains under investigation, a LaGrange Park Fire Department press release indicated the fire “appears to be related to cooking left unattended overnight.”
Fire Chief Dean Maggos credited the business’ fire alarm system, which connects directly with the Lyons Township Area Communications Center (LTACC) combined E911 dispatch agency, with limiting damage to the building.
“The presence of the automatic fire alarm system … and the quick actions by firefighters helped substantially limit the damage,” Maggos said in a press release, adding he believed the restaurant would be able to reopen in the “very near future.”
“This incident could have been significantly worse,” he said.
Brookfield and LaGrange firefighters also responded to the call.
